October 22, 1999

 

Carl Meseck, President
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority
2627 Hollywood Way
Burbank, California 91505

Honorable Stacey Murphy
Mayor, City of Burbank
275 E. Olive Avenue
Burbank, California 91502

Dear Mr. Meseck and Mayor Murphy:

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the "Framework for Settlement" between your two agencies. While many aspects of the proposed Settlement will benefit our entire East San Fernando Valley community, in one respect the Settlement benefits only one area -- at the expense of another. I am referring to the proposed permanent ban on the use of the east/west runway (Runway 8) for eastern departures of commercial aircraft.

As you know, the Federal Aviation Administration banned eastern departures some years ago, for reasons of safety: the east/west runway was too close to the existing terminal to allow eastern departures to take place. Under the proposed Settlement, however, the terminal will be moved to a different location; thus, the safety problem will no longer exist and eastern departures should once more be allowed. Nonetheless, your agencies have determined to forever lock in the status quo.

I must strongly protest this action. I am aware of the proximity of the Verdugo Hills to the Airport and the resultant hesitancy of pilots to take off to the east. However, I also understand that under certain wind conditions an eastern departure is possible, and even desirable. That eastern departures can be conducted safely is amply demonstrated by the fact that during the resurfacing of the north-south runway some years ago, all planes took off on Runway 8 - apparently without difficulty. Several years ago I participated in a "Part 150 Study" of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport in which departure patterns were studied closely. At that time both the FAA and pilots' organizations made it clear that while Runway 8 departures are less favorable most of the time, they can be performed. Removal of the existing terminal will eliminate the only aviation-related reason to ban them.

You also must be aware of the fact that at least 90% of all flights out of Burbank take off to the south, over the Los Angeles communities of Valley Village, North Hollywood, Studio City and Sherman Oaks. At the time of the Part 150 Study, elected officials representing these areas advocated a "share the noise" runway distribution plan under which airplanes would depart on all the different runways when it was feasible and safe. By forever banning eastern departures, you are eliminating the possibility that such a plan could be established at a future date.

During consideration of the Part 150 Study, the Airport repeatedly insisted that it had no control over departure patterns; that power rested only with pilots or the FAA. Now you have reversed course and seem to believe that the Airport can control the choice of runways. I don't believe you have that power, and I strongly oppose your attempt to gain the support of your own constituents for the Framework for Settlement by forever condemning my constituents to ever-increasing airport noise.

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Framework for Settlement. I again urge you to reject the provision that seeks a permanent ban on eastern departures from Runway 8.

Sincerely,

 

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY
Supervisor, Third District

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Copies to:

Mr. Matt Milne
11740 Blix Street
Valley Village, CA 91607

Mr. Wayland Pickard
4154 Mary Ellen Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604

Mr. Richard Close
Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.
14843 Jadeston Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Ms. Tybe Drum
Sherman Oaks Property Owners
4907 Mammoth Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Mr. Tony Lucente
Studio City Residents Assn.
11245 Valley Spring Lane
Studio City, CA 91602-2611

Ms. Lori Dinkin
Valley Village Homeowners Assn.
11750 Hesby Street
North Hollywood, CA 91607

Mrs. Marie Thorpe
Toluca Estates Homeowners Assn.
15 Toluca Estates Drive
Toluca Lake, CA 91602

Mr. Frank L. Zugelter
Toluca Lake Homeowners Assn.
P. O. Box 2013
Toluca Lake, CA 91610

Ms. Nancy Denton
Toluca Lake West Homeowners Assn.
4634 Willowcrest Avenue
Toluca Lake, CA 91602


 

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